Methadone

Methadone mixture is a thick green syrup containing equal amounts of methadone and liquid and is used in the treatment of opiate dependence. Injectible methadone comes as physeptone in ampoules, a clear liquid which is ready to inject. There are also methadone tablets although these are rarely prescribed. Methadone linctus is a much weaker preparation that is seldom used in the treatment of dependence.

Desired Effects:

To inhibit opiate withdrawal symptoms, relieve pain.

Side Effects:

Light-headedness, dizziness, sweating, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness.

• Methadone is prescribed as a substitute to street heroin when users have become dependent. It is used to reduce from opiates and helps to stabilise a users lifestyle.
• You should take methadone orally at the dosage it has been prescribed - is the safest way to take it.
• It is recommended that methadone is taken once daily, at the same time each day.
• If you take methadone with other substances, especially alcohol, heroin and benzos, it increases the risk of overdose.
• Getting additional support like counselling or CBT to tackle other aspects of your addiction will increase the chances of making changes to your life and improving your recovery capital.
• Get involved in diversionary activities that are meaningful to you; discovering healthier things to occupy your time - feeling bored will leave you thinking about using; spend time with non-using friends.
• If you suspect someone has overdosed, put them in the recovery position and call for emergency help immediately.
• Know about Naloxone. Naloxone is a short acting opiate antagonist that reverses the effects of heroin and other opiates like morphine - it can save lives.

Long term risks:

Dependence, withdrawal symptoms.

Short term risks:

Tolerance, overdose which can be fatal. This is a particularly dangerous drug for children who have accidentally taken doses prescribed to their parents.

Central nervous system depressant, analgesic.

Class A under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Methadone mixture and methadone linctus are taken orally, physeptone ampoules are injected. The tablets are taken orally but can sometimes be injected.

Brown medicine bottles for mixture and linctus; syringes, ampoules, tourniquet etc if injected.

Methadone mixture is used in the management of opiate - mainly heroin - dependence. Methadone linctus is used as a cough suppressant and occasionally as a pain killer.

On prescription from a GP or doctor in a drug dependency clinic, or diverted from either.

Methadone is widely used in drug substitution programmes offered by drug dependency clinics and sometimes by GPs. Users are also seen by drug counselling agencies and may attend needle exchange schemes despite being on drugs designed to be taken orally. If Methadone becomes an addiction in itself 'street agencies' or projects sometimes called community drug services or community drug teams, offer a range of services including information and advice, counselling, detoxification and prescribing for opiate / opioid users, support groups and other services such as acupuncture. Some may have extended opening hours and may be open at weekends. GPs and hospitals can make referrals to specialist drug services like Drug Dependency Units (DDUs). These are usually located in or adjacent to a hospital and specialise in helping problem drug users, especially people who are dependent on opiate / opioid drugs. They provide counselling, detoxification, substitute prescribing and other treatments. Residential services offer treatment programmes for heavily dependent drug users who are trying to give up. Residents must usually be drug free on admission which means they usually have to undergo detoxification before entry. Programmes usually last 3-6 months, but some 12 steps programmes last longer. The types of programmes vary. Self help groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) co-ordinate local support groups for problem drug users around the country. Families Anonymous run similar groups for the families of drug users.

Parents & other relatives

Many drug agencies also provide lots of advice and support to parents, family members and partners of people using drugs. They may provide relative support groups or advice, guidance and counselling on a one to one basis.